Thank you so much for this objective and rightly written article which to my surprise so correctly portrays part of the situation in my country one after the revolution. We long to have such a balanced journalism in Tunisia. One year from the revolution and we are still suffering under the dictatorship of our ben-ali-loyal media which would never ever be as objective as this article. Our media is waging a war on the revolution and on anything relating to it including the first freely elected government in the history of the country. They even openly show their discontent with the fact that there was a revolution at all in Tunisia. The Mafia of the ben ali regime's ruling party, the RCD, and their loyal business men, e.g. Kamel Ltaief and others, control most of the public and private media in Tunisia and are literally using them as a weapon in a media war against the people of Tunisia who brought their interests and their rule to an end. They are literally in a war to take their revenge from the Tunisian people by destroying our ecenomy. For example they strive to do an anti-government propaganda destined to the western media so that they harm the tourism, one of the primary sources of our economy. They strive to report to the western media anything that would harm our already struggling economy with the only goal of making this present government fail. In short if you follow our local media today you will hardly see the right picture of what is going on today in Tunisia.

For all that, and when I read such an objective and intelligent article I can only thank you from the bottom of my heart as a Tunisian citizen.

One of the positive things that the Tunisian Revolution brought was the dissolution of the ATCE, a government propaganda agency with the unique job to walk foreign journalists into the official party line. After, reading this article from the Economist, I'm wondering wether it really disappeared.
Hisham Ben Khamsa

Tunusian government should try to have a deal with Belgium to pass there without Schengen visa. In this way, they could solve the unepmloyment problem. I am offering this because I saw thousands of Tunusians in Brussels when I was at there. It was increadible. It should be easily said that the population of Tunusians were more higher than the population of Belgians.

Clearly not the same as yours! No Foreign Minister has a business misspeaking, period, wherever he comes from, and whatever country he represents, when it relates to the most elementary facts about his own country. A 12 year old would not have made that mistake.

And as for my” judgement” or “brain –carved mental fetishism” ( not sure that is English lol ) you know absolutely nothing about what these might be, apart from my opinion of a Foreign Minister who doesn’t seem fit for the job he has been appointed to do. As for my “anti-democratic beliefs”, you are quite funny really, as you clearly are not democratic yourself. At least I did not resort to making remarks about you, or your beliefs. And a legitimate coalition yes, but provisional, don’t forget that.

"obtaining a PhD [...] is a basic requirement" !! and a "A Foreign Affairs Minister has no business misspeaking" !!...really!! which perfect politicians' world do you live in?

Otherwise, yes you are welcome. It is my pleasure to "impart" anyone who has a clouded judgment and anti-democratic believes, just because a political coalition in an arab and muslim country legitimately obtained the confidence of the people and challenged your ideological, dogmatic, limited, set of brain-carved mental fetishism.

I knew that some will have a hard time with any idea that deviates from their mental comfort zone...but this has been eye-popping.

“It is clear that he misspoke”? “or who ever (sic.) does his facebook account”? So, that is OK then is it? Don’t make us laugh. A Foreign Affairs Minister has no business misspeaking, particularly if he has a PhD in Political Science. He is an embarrassment to Tunisia. And thanks for imparting on Economist readers the basic notions of what the role of a Foreign Affairs Minister should be, how generous of you. We had absolutely no idea what that entailed.

As for obtaining a PhD from a former London polytechnic, that is a basic (in more ways than one) requirement for the job. Former Tunisian ministers had not only studied at Columbia, the Sorbonne, the Institut de Hautes études internationales de Genève and other such establishments, but had also had distinguished careers as diplomats.

Thanks for detecting silliness in my arguments. I'd just invite you look at yours. The government is handling the Salafists through cajoling and dialogue to integrate them in the political conversation? These people have flouted law and order and are committing crimes punishable with prison terms. Is the government as open and understanding with young unemployed degree holders? Silliness I am afraid is not where you seem to find it. But then again, my argument is not with you, a Tunisian co national entitled to his views, but with The Economist editor who should strengthen it's foreign correspondants' cadre and get people with a better understanding of the dynamics of the so called "Arab spring".

I know it's painful for you to hear that you not the only Tunisian reading the economist but thanks to Bourguiba's efforts in the education sector, we have a Tunisian population that received acceptable educational materials to be able to read the Economist. It also might be a bit painful for you to have to talk with other Tunisians that have different views than yours, but this is democracy and you can't imagine how painful it's for us to have such a useless government ruling the country after the revolution we made; and please enlighten me on how taking sides in the Syrian war is going to serve Tunisia’s interests. All what the government is doing is blaming everything on previous governments, opposition and syndicalist. We had to wait about 100 days to hear about the government's program. The only difference with the past is that we have Nahdha instead of RCD, and I don't think that appointing Nahdha party leaders in high administrative positions is going to help the country move from a one party rule to a democratic state with neutral administration. It's also so painful for us to see a revolution that aspired for jobs, better life, freedom of speech and judgement of corrupt political leaders ends up in the hands of a party aiming to reach its own goals rather than the revolution's ones. I’m sad for the revolution when I see Jebali using the Palestinian cause for election purposes and then a month later gives a big hug to McCain, or Zitoun saying that they not going to ask Saudis to deport Benali because they don't want to hurt their feelings, or Dilou saying that wounded of the revolution were maybe thieves or drunk; I don't care if they thieves or not, as a government you are responsible for treating them, then you can judge them. Thanks to the islamists, a year after the fall of Benali’s regime, we ended up debating about shariaa, niqab, hijab, women rights and dividing the country into “muslims” and “kuffar”. Add to that, we have salafists that are using violence in front of everyone and the interior ministry is just watching them and let them do whatever they want; pretending they don't want to go back to police brutality but when they have to attack wounded of the revolution the police is present. We are just asking them to apply the law, whoever is using violence against other people whether he's Salafist, Communist or Buddhist he has to be punished, though many of these salafist have been involved in plotting terrorism attacks against civilians and thanks to the revolution they have been freed but this doesn’t give them the right to be above the law. We know that this gov doesn’t have the capabilities to do a better job but all we are asking them to do is to focus on revolution’s goals during this transitional period rather than serving party over public.

He said 400 km instead of 1400 km. It is clear that he misspoke. 400 km is about Tunis to Gabes way less than half the length of the whole country. the same way he (or who ever does his facebook account) referred to Istanbul as the capital of Turkey. We shouldn't be discussing these idiocies, the guy has a doctorate in Poli. Sci from a not so bad university (a thesis that has element of the history of the middle east-he MUST know that Ankara is the capital).
On another side note, the minster of foreign affairs defends Tunisia's interests abroad, so by taking care of problems like the Syrian or any regional problem that is directly or indirectly related to Tunisia, he is serving Tunisia. these are basic notions, that again are a bit painful for me to have to explain to some Tunisians (even when they read the economist)!
where i agree with you is on the problem of the victims of the revolution, the dead and injured. Yes, it is puzzling to me why they didn't take care of them yet...apparently hundreds of crooks got into the mix and claimed money...but I have no idea what in the world the government is waiting for.
Now this tops it all and just makes me think you could be a troll "A government that give out ministerial positions to brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces cannot represent all Tunisians". The only ministerial position is the son-in-law of Ghannouchi, that's it (a PhD). Please don't utter counter-truths.

"TUNISIA’S Islamist-led government boasts an unusual qualification. No fewer than ten cabinet members are former political prisoners” --Are these qualifications to boast about? Does having been a former political prisoner make you a knowledgeable and performing minister?
“Recent opinion polls suggest that Mr Jebali’s support easily exceeds the nearly 37% of votes that his party, Ennahda, scored in last October’s election”--You dot provide any reference! However a recent poll fully contradicts what you said: the results of this recent poll: http://directinfo.webmanagercenter.com/2012/04/03/sondage-100-jours-du-g...
“Even the weather seemed to conspire against it: heavy winter snowfalls in the north west were followed by floods that destroyed early crops”--Such remark may not please the Tunisian government members and its Ennahdha leaders who preaches constantly that Allah never fails in helping the pious devotees like the government members.
“If the revolution has so far brought little tangible improvement in living standards,”--This is a euphemism, the standards have fallen dramatically: there is 20% more un-employed now then 6 months ago, and prices of basic necessities went up ~ 6% in the last 10 months. http://topic-news.com/tunisie-augmentation-de-lindice-des-prix-a-la-cons...
“The ruling Islamists have also faced challenges from Tunisia’s religious right. Radical Salafist groups often take to the streets with noisy demands for such things as the imposition of sharia law”--This is simply untrue. The salafists are from Ennahdha. Ellouze, leader from Ennahdha, has specialized in inviting the most radical Muslim preachers from the Middle East and tour them in Tunisian mosques. The most known case is of the Egyptian radical Wagdi Ghueim advocate of girls excision and famous in defaming moderate Muslims and Christians (http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/37171.aspx).
Chourou, the founder of Ennahdha, praised the Salafiste who applauded him in public gatherings. Ben Salem, the Minister of Higher Education supported a handful salafiste who occupied the Mannouba University who wanted to impose the nikab (a version of the Afghani Burka that covers women from head to toe) in defiance to university rules applied in 193 high education institutions.
“The Ennahda government has firmly rejected them”--Nothing is further from the truth, as mentioned above. The only time Ghannouchi, the supreme leader of Ennahdha, mentioned the Salafistes was to declare they are good Tunisians who deserve respect.
“This careful balancing act still leaves many secular Tunisians unconvinced “--This is a travesty of the truth, what are you talking about? No salafist involved in violent attacks against people (journalists, artists, University professors), or against the national flag have ever been arrested despite the fact that their horrible acts are videotaped, knowing that, Larayedh, the minister of the interior and commander of the valiant (?) Tunisian police is from the Ennahdha.

“The Ennahda-led government is doing all right”—inspire of the reality that supports the opposite.

Sorry but a minister of foreign affairs that doesn't know the coastline length of the country he's supposed to represent cannot be the best minister we ever had. I'm curious to know about the great achievements of this minister in these 100 days to make you say he's one of the best foreign affairs minister we had. Plus, he's more preoccupied by Syria's problems than Tunisia's ones. A government that give out ministerial positions to brothers, sisters, nephews and nieces cannot represent all Tunisians, and that's why a large number of Tunisians feel that they not represented in this GOV. I know this GOV can't change everything in one day, but there's some problems that shouldn't take ages to resolve such as wounded of the revolution that are almost dying asking for treatments and the only thing they got was the brutality of Tunisian police. It's nice to take photos with them during the election campaign to win some votes but it would be a better idea if ministers keep to the promises they have given them before taking power.

This article reminds me of those articles Benali's government used to pay for to have it published on foreign newspapers. This government is probably the worst government we have seen so far. They have no program, no clear goals and they probably going to crash the whole country into a wall if we don't organise new elections any time soon and let competent people run the country. They also tend to forget that they have only been elected to write a new constitution and not run the country for the next 10 years, I don't know who this journalist got these information from but the country is in a really bad state with high unemployment, insecurity due to salafist that can do whatever they want in the country, they can climb a 50 feet high clock to rise jihadist flag, they can set fire to a TV owner's house, they can attack intellectuals in the streets, they can block a campus of 20000 students just because two girls in Niqab weren't allowed in, and many other things. to sum up, salafist are just above the law. Police is only here to stop anti government protest or to attack wounded of revolution who just ask for treatments. Therefore, if there's someone who's doing well in Tunisia, it's certainly not one of the government members!

It is true that the Economist's article is not too detailed, that translates the editor's interest in the situation in Tunisia. But as far as your analysis goes, I am afraid you had it ALL wrong-as it seems your judgment is somewhat clouded. I will answer your points in order.
-First of all, this country has been mismanaged for 55 years (not to say 200 years). So this coalition government inherited structural management problems. The only difference, and thanks to the revolution, is that what was kept behind a veil of secrecy is apparent to all now. This problem doesn't have a 100 days solution and any government formed with any coalition will do equally bad if not worse.
-As for the Salafi problem, I do believe that the government is approaching the problem exceptionally well. We know that the totalitarian approach that bourguiba and ben ali used was a failure. This is a problem that has multiple sides and the security side of it is only one issue. The coalition government has been conversing the the Salafi to include them in the political process and absorb their anger and volatility.
-On the foreign affairs side, I do believe that the TN minister of foreign affairs is one of the best that Tunisia had. I won't discuss your arguments since I find them silly.
-The coalition government recently has committed to March 20th for an election, but you might have missed that information.
-I'd like you to specify a bit more about the cronyism and nepotism of the government. I hope you are not one of those who criticized ministers for appointing cabinet chiefs from their party elements!!

I see that this new and revolutionary government has already some advantages inspite of the lack of experience in leading the country . Tunisia ,with a small superifcy , Has got many politicians who can help the country being prospere .
//OUR real problem is essentially The media which is still following the previous regime of Ben Ali and also we do not have an opposition which can give solutions or even be positive and help this legitime governement .
I hope our politicians know that the success of this government is really a step to the development of the country , not just for those who win the elections !

I understand that Tunisia is a small and possibly inconsequential country in the larger scheme of things. It may be for that reason that The Economist is offering us the shallowest analysis money can buy on where the country stands today. An economy with no prospect of standing on its own feet anytime soon, mishandled as it is by a government with no vision and, frankly, no understanding of the basic mechanics of economic management. Evidence to it the recently published economic plan and the talk of illusory at best, growth rates coming around the corner. A social fabric cracking at the seems with the government's reluctance to act against the Salafists basic challenges to public order. Be it at the University or on the streets, bearded men are making mockery of law and order. A foreign policy led by an Al Jazeera man, that gives a new meaning to the theory of diplomatic alignment. This time, Tunisia's alignment is with....Qatar. A government that was elected on the clear understanding of a one year mandate and to organize elections by the end of 2012. This commitment is now thrown into the garbage can, and no formally set date is being presented. Last but not least, what Ben Ali did in his first five years in terms of putting his people in pivotal government positions, Ennahdha took six months to do. Croniysm and nepotism are the order of the day. Case in point, but far from being the exception, the Foreign Minister.
One would hope that The Economist would listen to more opinions, take a closer look and avoid jumping on the bandwagon of a foretold train wreck.